Duplex Attic Firewall

I was called out to a duplex that has one side is on the market to sell.

Duplex attic firewall.

The duplex will be 28 x about 60 long with the building split down the middle to make two 14 x60 units. The reason for air space is to prevent sound transmission thru a solid connected wall. This unit was constructed in 2002. While inspecting i noticed that the fire wall stopped at the top of the ceiling joist and the lower fire wall stopped at the bottom of the ceiling loist.

Leaving an opening between every rafter. How do you brace the roof and ceiling if i can t penetrate the fire wall. A firewall separates each apartment with a fire and smoke barrier in the. If there is a firewall in your attic the fire rating should be printed on the.

This type of firewall would be cost prohibitive to build especially in a. The international residential code requires that in townhomes and duplexes each unit needs to be separated from the next by fire walls. The firewall should extend into the attic separating your attic space from the attic above the neighboring units. Both duplexes and apartment units that don t have firewalls in the attic for separation said architect david maschke.

I know that i need a 1 hour fire wall separating them from the foundation to the bottom of the roof. As of todays codes i know this is unacceptable. Generally the one of the walls will be built with drywall on both sides this would be the firewall and then the second wall would be built with drywall just on the finish room side.